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Paramore announced that it “will not accept any recognition or honor from the TN House” for its Grammy win after a lawmaker objected to a similar honor for singer-songwriter Allison Russell.
The group accused Tennessee's Republican-led House of Representatives of “blatant racism” after a lawmaker blocked a resolution honoring black singer-songwriter Russell's recent Grammy win.
The head of the Republican Caucus in the House of Representatives, who objected to the decision to honor Russell, Representative Jeremy Faison (R-Tenn.), claimed in a statement that “the decision was not blocked.”
“When a member has a question about an item on the approval calendar, it is customary to ask it so that a vote can be taken on just that item,” he said. “As a member of leadership, many members came to me with questions about this individual, which made it appropriate for us to pause on this particular decision.”
Paramore won two Grammy Awards at the 2024 awards ceremony earlier this month. They indicated that they would postpone receiving state honors until Russell received the same recognition.
Parramore leader Hayley Williams publicly denounced the “blatant racism of our state leadership,” calling it “embarrassing and callous” in a statement.
“This week, Rep. Justin Jones introduced resolutions to honor my band, Paramore, and another Nashville artist, Allison Russell, for our recent Grammy win (as far as I can tell these resolutions have no legal weight to them),” she wrote. “They're like five “Adults or when the whole restaurant joins in to sing you ‘Happy Birthday.'” “House Republicans only allowed the measure to pass that recognized Parramore’s victory. They blocked Allison.
Russell, who was born in Montreal but began her career in Nashville, took home the award for best American performance for her 2023 single “Eve Was Black.” In her statement, Williams described her as an “incredibly talented musician and songwriter.”
“The blatant racism of our state’s leadership is embarrassing and callous,” Williams continued. Paramore and I will continue to encourage young people to come out and vote with equality in mind. I would like to thank Brother Jones for his unwavering commitment to his community. And thank you to Alison Russell for using your voice and your art to bring people together, not tear them apart. Congratulations on an amazing Grammy night. On behalf of Paramore, Happy Black History Month.
Russell previously addressed the House's decision on the honor in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “Much love, gratitude and appreciation to you @brotherjones_, for you and @votegloriaj to present this resolution is a great honor,” she wrote. “The Tennessee Republican Party blocked it, I take that as a compliment. It is unfortunate that their fanaticism appears unabated. We have an opportunity this year to make a real difference in TN!
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